Kimono Photo Shoot Fundraiser

This year I got involved with the APAH again, and a lot more than in any year before. On May 4th Hong came over to help me with a big photo shoot fundraiser on base. We started around 9am on the day, and didn't finish until after 6pm. I don't really want to talk about the day as much, because it didn't start that well. Those who know me closely already heard all about it, so I don't want to repeat the whole things here. At the end everything worked out, and we raised almost exactly $450. We also learned many things for the next time, IF I ever decide to do anything like that again.

I'm especially thankful for the Japanese ladies that came and stayed the whole day, helping with undressing people, putting away kimono and promoting the fundraiser. Of course, the whole thing wouldn't have happened without Hong either, who switched her shift at work just so she can come and help me.

You can see some more photos in my Facebook album.

Winners of the Kimono Set Raffle

Hello my Lovely Readers,

The raffle for kimono sets is now over. Sadly it wasn't popular as much as both Liz and I were hoping, but regardless we are very thankful to everyone who entered! Thank you and every little bit helps! If you want to read about the real conditions, please check out Kimono Magic's post. She recently went to volunteer again, and as you can see from her post and photos, there is still much to do and they are still in need of people to do the work. I am not sure where exactly Liz be going (and I doubt she will know until she gets there), but I'm expecting that she will see something similar.

The first set was my signature Lyuba-style set of stripes, scarves and hats.

And the winner is.............

Congratulations Maaike! I will mail out your gift this week and I will drop you an email once your set is on its way! :)

Next we have the Tea Ceremony inspired set:

And the winner is..........

Congratulations Sandra!

I'm very excited for both winners and can't wait to see photos of them wearing the outfits! *hint hint, wink wink*

~ Lyuba

Fundraising for Volunteering in Japan

Hello Everyone,

My friend Elizabeth, also known as @Hairfreax on twitter, is going to go volunteer in Japan this fall and she needs help with raising money for it. Right now she is trying to raise half the cost, and one of the ways she is going to do it is by holding several kimono sets raffles.


Here are the rules:
1. Open worldwide.
2. Each raffle ticket costs $10, and you can enter as many times as you like (remember, all of the money raised will go towards volunteering).
3. Use the Paypal button to submit your payment.
4. In the Special Instructions to Seller, please list your ADDRESS and EMAIL by which we can contact you. 
5. The last day to enter will be July 31, 2011! Winner will be announced shortly after and contacted by email.
6. Winner will be picked using Random.org.
7. If the winner doesn't respond within 48 hours, we will have to pick another winner.
8. Another person will also get picked to get a surprise runner up gift.
9. Packages will be mailed out within 2 business days after we get the confirmation from the winning person.

Which Kimono Set?

Traditional Tea Ceremony Funky 'Lyuba' Style I don't want kimono, I'm just donating!

Originally I was hoping to go with her, but I was waiting for my online school to release their fall schedule and when they did..... I knew there is no way I would be able to go ANYWHERE! Instead I decided I will donate two (almost) complete kimono outfits to her fundraiser! This is what will be available in the competition:

Sorry, cats are not included ;P But they approved of this kimono :)

You've always been interested in Japanese kimono but didn't know where to start. Or maybe you decided that you wanted to take the Tea Ceremony lessons, but didn't have a kimono to wear there. Or maybe you just want a kimono, but never got around to getting yourself one. If you answered yes to any of the above, this very traditional ensemble is for you. The ensemble consist of a gorgeous apricot orange synthetic iromuji (still has basting stitches on!), toned down by light gold vintage silk nagoya obi. Exquisite brown silk haori completes the ensemble for those colder days. You will also get the obiage and obijime you see in the photos, and a white silk haneri. All you have to do is get a juban, zori and tabi and you are all set for the Tea Ceremony. Or just have a complete traditional outfit, appropriate for a wide range of occasions.

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But what if you don't like traditional kimono style? Then the next ensemble will be perfect for you! Featuring my signature style of stripes and hats, you will be ready to be funky and modern in no time. With this ensemble you will get a blue striped wool kimono, with a vintage reversible checkered/striped silk nagoya obi, complete with a matching cloche hat and a scarf. Obiage, obijime and haneri are also included, and all you have to do is get yourself a juban and zori and tabi. Or you can simply wear this outfit with western boots for a complete modern feel!

You can see haneri very well here.

Here you can see the other side of nagoya obi pretty well.

Just in case you're wondering what MY style is, here are some examples:

Please donate below! You can select which kimono set you want, as well as donating just to donate! Every little bit will be greatly appreciated!

Which Kimono Set?

Traditional Tea Ceremony Funky 'Lyuba' Style I don't want kimono, I'm just donating!

~ Lyuba

Kimono Photos Fundraiser for APAH

Some of you might remember that last year I did a last minute mini kimono fashion show at Asian-Pacific Appreciation festival on base. This year I was set on participating and making it bigger and better.

But this year we also got our funding cut completely... so get this, whoever (not sure who, but someone who funds all these events) on base promised us $500 at the beginning of the year, which is nearly not enough but better than nothing, and then about a month ago we were told that we'll be getting NO money at all. ..... ..... ..... And all is good and fine, we really don't have to do anything super big for APAH, and without any money we could have just put some stuff on website and ran a powerpoint on computers, but as one of our organizers said we are more proud of our heritage than that. Plus last year the event was a huge success, and I bet people on base are secretly or non-so-secretly hoping for a repeat so we decided to try and make it as best we can with as much as we got.

So we decided to hold several fundraisers, and the first one was with kimono! We got a booth type deal at one of our local mini malls, but unfortunately we couldn't get a spot at the busy one... so I was pretty skeptical about the success. The busy mall has all the teenagers and dorm kids that could just walk to it, vs the other one that people have to drive to. I also thought that it would have been great to have some kids kimono stuff since it seems like everyone on base have kids, but I don't have any kids.... so I don't have any kids stuff.

Well, it turned out to be worse than I secretly hoped for, but better than I was expecting. We got $130 in 5 hours (it was $140 but I took $10 to cover printer paper and ink I bought) through dressing and people randomly donating money to APAH. We actually were/are not allowed to put any kind of donation boxes because there is some kind of super huge Air Force wide fundraiser going on right now, so all donation boxes go to them or something along those lines. People who were randomly donating were people with little kids who really wanted a photo, but couldn't get it. I even had a Japanese lady with a 3y.o. girl ask about Shichi-Go-San, and I almost with tears in my eyes had to tell her I have nothing. The lady had to cancel her trip to Japan this year because of everything that's going on in Japan, and so her girl wouldn't be getting dressed up in pretty kimono. Oh how I wanted to raid Lily's kimono closet at the time (Yup, your Lily Naomi, cuz I know she probably has a collection almost as big as yours now)